Doylestown Borough Mayor Ron Strouse, right, swears in the 2020 elected officers of the fire company and the January monthly meeting on Jan. 8, 2020. President Paul Kreuter, 2nd from left, and Chief Mike Wood, light shirt, lead the proceedings.
The first swearing in of fire company officers this decade occurred on Jan. 8 at the monthly business meeting. Newly elected President Paul Kreuter, along with Chief Mike Wood, in his third year, lead the participants in the process presided over by Doylestown Borough Ron Strouse. Kreuter succeeds Jay Fetterolf, who was president for the past 5 years. The company thanked Jay for his service with a standing ovation.
Along with Kreuter and Wood, the executive officers this year are 1st VP Steve Walther, 2nd VP Kyle Downs, Treasurer Bill Cope, Asst. Treasurer Paul Cain, Financial Secretary Jay Stough, Asst. Financial Secretary Bill Price, Recording Secretary Karen Truman, Asst. Recording Secretary Annie Vancosky, and trustees Ed Truman, Barbarajean Wood, Ray Bosche, Justen Hilton, and Steve Rizzo.
On the line officers, Deputy 19 Ed Loux, Battalion Chiefs Jim Shepard and Grant Castor, Captains Lori Westover and Dan Kline, and Lieutenant Don Talenti. Communications officer James Babinetz, Asst. Communications Officer Joey Grace, Safety Officer Tom Smith, and Public Information Officer and photographer Larry Browne.
Also at the meeting, the fire police officers were sworn in, lead by Capt. Nick Popchuk and Lt. Quentin Maust.
The members of the auxiliary board were sworn in also.
And finally Ed Truman took over as president of the Doylestown Firefighters Relief Assn., succeeding Larry Browne, who was president for the past 3 years.
Fire Police officers for 2020 are sworn in by Mayor Ron Strouse.
Congratulations to the 2019 winner of the Francis X. Thomas scholarship winner, Junior Firefighter Tricia Shepard. Trish is a third generation Doylestown firefighter, following in the footsteps of her grandfather Jim, past Chief of the company, and father Jim, who is currently one of 2 battalion chiefs. Trish was presented the scholarship at the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce Emergency Services Awards banquet on October 27 by DFC Deputy Chief Ed Loux, who works with the Thomas family to give the $1000 scholarship to a deserving student in the Central Bucks Fire and EMS community through the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, where Trish is in the nursing program.
The Francis X. Thomas scholarship is presented by the Thomas family in the memory of Fran Thomas, who was a very active participant and supporter of the emergency services in Bucks County for many years.
The members of the fire company and auxiliary gathered at Doylestown Country Club on April 6, 2019, to relax, have fun and recognize members for their accomplishments during 2018. The atmosphere was tropical, as the theme for the evening was Hawaiian Luau, and the dress was representative for the evening.
After dinner and the annual multi-media retrospective, awards were given to members of the company for service and accomplishments. Also receiving an award of recognition was former State Representative Marguerite Quinn. Fire company president Jay Fetterolf presented he with a plaque thanking her for her service and friendship to the company during her 10 years serving the Central Bucks community. She was moved by the honor, thanking every member of the company for the honor and honoring all back. The plaque read-
Marguerite Quinn (center) with fire company president Jay Fetterolf (left) and Chief Mike Wood.
Your selfless dedication and tireless efforts have touched and changed countless people in the State of Pennsylvania and the Doylestown Fire Company. You have inspired greatness within our community and we honor your service.
Congratulations on a job well done!
Service awards were given to-
5-Year Pin/Silver (2014)
Five year pins were presented to Rachel Loux, Rich Priolo and Ben Hanbicki
James Babinetz
Samuel Cesare
Ben Hanbicki
Rachel Loux
Miroslav “Mike” Mach
Joey Grace
Rich Priolo
Quentin Maust
10-Year Pin/Silver (2009)
Will Fluck IV
Steve Downs
Rich Schea
15-Year Pin/Silver (2004)
Bob Adams, Sr.
Matt Grogan
20 Year Pin/Gold (1999) and Life Membership Card
Larry Browne
30 Year Pin/Gold (1989)
Roseanne (Annie) Vancosky
Boyd (Bud) Baughman, Jr.
35 Year Pin/Gold (1984)
Dennis Loux, Jr.
Curt Rauss
40 Year Pin/Gold (1979)
Tom Cramer
Brian Cathers
Dave MacFarlane
Doug Tilley
50 Year Pin/Gold (1969)
Rob Hellyer
55 Year Pin/Gold (1964)
Dutch Reeser (center) receives his 55 year pin.
Harold (Dutch) Reeser
60 Year Pin/Gold (1959)
Charlie Penglase
65 Year Pin/Gold (1954)
Don Smith
Appreciation awards were given to-
Ed Truman for service as Deputy Chief from 2010-2011 and 2017-2018
Ed Loux for service as Battalion Chief for 2018
Peter Mills for service as Lieutenant for 2018
Anthony Montemurro for service as Treasurer from 2016-2018
Larry Browne for service as Trustee from 2015-2018
Jim Hampton for service as Trustee from 2011- 2018
Mike Kleban for service as Trustee for 2018
Steven Downs for service as Assistant Treasurer for 2017-2018
Karen Truman for service as Assistant Recording Secretary for 2017-2018
Bill Cope for service as Assistant Financial Secretary for 2018
Jeff Anlauf for service as Trustee for 2016-2018
Steve Cote for service as Trustee for 2017-2018
Attendance awards were presented to
Attendance awards recipients 2nd from left Bill Price, Steve Lee, Asher Mithoefer and Tommy Kirk with Chief Mike Wood (l) and president Jay Fetterolf (r)
Tommy Kirk- Top responder for 2018- 77.36%
Bill Price- 2nd top responder- 49.61%
Asher Mithoefer- 3rd top responder- 48.84%
Steve Lee- 4th Top Responder- 43.88%
Sam Cesare- 5th Top Responder- 42.33%
Percentage of calls based on 645 Incidents and 45 Trainings
Training Awards presented to Lori Westover and Tommy Kirk with 38 of 45 Drills for the year
The President’s award was bestowed upon Steve Downs for his work as Asst. Treasurer, constant optimism and guidance.
The Chief’s award was given to Ed Loux for his work on the duty crew and mapping.
The firefighter of the year, as voted on by the members of the fire company, is Larry Browne. Browne has been a member of the fire company since July of 1999, has held many positions in the company, including President of the Relief Association and Public Information and Fire Prevention officer, which he holds presently.
L to R, the fire company recipients of the 4-way award- Tom Smith, Steve Walther and Jeff Kennedy.
Yes, it is said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. On April 24, 2019, that was very true for Past Chief Steve Walther. Walther, his wife Cindy and daughter Steffi along with members of the fire company attended the Doylestown Rotary’s 4-Way Test Awards breakfast at Doylestown Country Club. A crowd of over 300 was there to honor Steve and the other recipients of the 4-Way award. Steve was recognized for his over 60 years of service to the Doylestown and Warwick Communities as a volunteer. He joins firefighters Jeff Kennedy and Tom Smith as recipients of the award. In addition to his fire service time, Steve is also a volunteer for Special Olympics. Well done Steve!
Steve Walther walks to accept his award in front of a packed room at Doylestown Country Club.
The fire company was also the recipient of a grant from the Rotary at the gathering. President Jay Fetterolf accepted the check for $3100 on behalf of the fire company.
At the Central Bucks Regional Police Commission meeting, commendations were give to (l to r) Bucks County Deputy DA Kristen McElroy, and ADA Megan Brooks, CB Regional PD Detective Dave Jenkins, and Detective Sgt. Paul Kreuter, with CBRPD Chief Karl Knott.
On Monday night, April 22, 2019 there was a meeting of the Central Bucks Regional Police Commission at Doylestown Borough Hall. Two fire company members were front and center at the beginning of the meeting.
First, Detective Sgt. Paul Kreuter, a life member and retired Battalion Chief of the fire company, was commended along with his colleague Detective Dave Jenkins and Bucks County Deputy DA Kristen McElroy, and ADA Megan Brooks for work they did to secure the conviction of a sex offender. More info here- https://www.facebook.com/cbrpd/photos/rpp.544055969017541/2185444184878703/?type=3&theater Well done Paul!
Nate Coia, center, takes the oath of office from CBRPD Commission Chair Dr. Robyne Kelemen, as his father holds the Bible proudly.
After the commendations, one of the kids, Nate Coia, was sworn in as a part time officer. We say “one of the kids” because many of us have watched Nate grow up in the fire company. He joined as a 14 year old kid, who for years never said much, but absorbed everything he heard like a sponge. Nate has served the Doylestown community well as a volunteer firefighter, and will continue that as a police officer for Doylestown, New Britain and Chalfont boroughs. Nate has had the dream to become a police officer since he was in kindergarten, as seen in the following photo of himself with now retired Doylestown Township officer Brian Rose. Nate’s mom wanted us to share that with everyone. She’s very proud of him!
